15 facts about Oktoberfest that you need to know!

The ultimate beer festival is called Oktoberfest.

In case you ever find yourself in a conversation about the Oktoberfest or if you decide to travel to have firsthand experience we have a list of 15 facts for Octoberfest you need to know. From its history and its significance to why we drink an Oktoberfest beer as well as how many visitors it has.

The original Oktoberfest has taken place for more than 200 years in Munich, Germany

The name means “the October festival”. It doesn’t matter that it begins in September, it’s because the weather conditions are better.

Oktoberfest lasts anywhere from 15 to 17days depending on the year.

Only the World Wars and famines have kept it from taking place.

When Crown Prince Ludwig (Ludwig I) married Princess Therese the wedding celebration became the first Oktoberfest.

The first Oktoberfest was held in 1810.

The first Oktoberfest was primarily political in nature because of the royal wedding.

Only the following six breweries are part of Oktoberfest: Augustinerbrau Munchen, Hacker Pschorr, Hofbrau, Lowenbrau, Paulaner and Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau.

Boston Brewery claims to be the brewery with the largest production of Oktoberfest beer because none of the Munich breweries exceed its production.

Theresienwiese, is the name of the location of the festival, takes its name after the Princess Therese.

The festival has more than 6million visitors from around the world.

In 1985 Oktoberfest had a record attendance of 7.1 million visitors.

“O’zapft is” are the “magic” words the mayor of Munich shouts in order to announce the opening of the festival by taping the first barrel.

Smaller scale Oktoberfests take place all over the world, including the U.S, Great Britain, China, Australia and other cities in Germany.

The traditional outfit that the waitresses wear during the Oktoberfest is called the “Dirndl”

BONUS one more:

The one-liter glass that beers are served in is called a “Masskrug” or simply “Mass”